Syeda Sara Hassan

Ultra-fast catalytic reduction of dyes by ionic liquid recoverable and reusable mefenamic acid derived gold nanoparticles.

We synthesized mefenamic acid (MA) derived gold nanoparticles (MA-AuNps) in aqueous solution (MA-Au sol). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) of the sol at 1, 5, 15 and 60 min showed changes in size and shape of formed AuNps. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy revealed the interaction between AuNps and MA. Each Au sol exhibited exceptional catalytic activity for the reduction of Methylene Blue (MB), Rose Bengal (RB) and Eosin B (EB) dye individually as well as collectively. However, complete reduction of dye(s) was accomplished by Au sol of 5 min in just 15s. The catalytic performance of Ma-Au sol was far superior to that adsorbed on glass. AuNps were recovered with the help of water insoluble room temperature ionic liquid and reused with enhanced catalytic potential. This finding is a novel, rapid and highly economical alternative for environmental safety against pollution by dyes and extendable for control of other reducible contaminants as well.

Phosphomolybdate-doped-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) coated gold nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic reduction of bromate.

Phosphomolybdate, H3PMo12O40, (PMo12)-doped-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coated gold nanoparticles have been synthesized in aqueous solution by reduction of AuCl4(-) using hydroxymethyl EDOT as a reducing agent in the presence of polystyrene sulfonate and PMo12. The resulting PMo12-doped-PEDOT stabilized Au nanoparticles are water soluble and have been characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemistry. Glassy carbon electrodes modified with these Au nanoparticles show excellent stability and catalytic activity towards the reduction of bromate in an aqueous electrolyte solution containing 10mM H2SO4 and 0.1M Na2SO4.